Tobacco smoking-related risk for iron deficiency anemia: A case-control study

Background Globally, iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a significant public health problem. Tobacco smoking as a risk factor for anemia is often ignored. Aims To study the tobacco smoking-associated risk for IDA. Material and methods This study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Dehradun, India from January 2019 to December 2020. One hundred ten patients having IDA (serum ferritin < 15 mcg/l) and an equal number of controls were randomly selected and assessed regarding their tobacco smoking status and type, quantity, and duration of tobacco used. Results Seventy-six (69.1%) patients with IDA were tobacco smokers and were predominantly males (51cases, 67.1%) and beedi smokers (52 cases, 68.4%). The odds ratios (ORs) for the association of smoking tobacco (cigarette and beedi collectively), cigarette, and beedi with IDA were 7.60 (p < 0.0001), 2.79 (p = 0.01), and 5.68 (p < 0.0001), respectively. OR for developing IDA was more among light smokers (OR = 7.72, p < 0.0001) and increased with duration of smoking (p < 0.0001). IDA was not significantly associated with confounding risk factors like malnutrition (OR = 1.00, p = 1.00), low socioeconomic status (OR = 0.64, p = 0.21), dietary habits (OR = 1.43, p = 0.45), and place of residence (OR = 0.93, p = 0.88). Conclusions Tobacco smoking has a strong association with IDA. Both beedi smoking and cigarette smoking have a significant association with IDA. The risk of IDA is more among light smokers and is duration-dependent.